Photocatalytic performance and characterization of tungsten oxide powders recycled from cutting tool wastes

In this study, with recycling process from waste sludge formed by the wear of WC cutting tools used as a cutting tool in the machining industry has been presented. WC waste transformed to WO_3−x have been characterized by the X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy–EDS analysis. The formation of WO_3−x from the waste WC bulk materials was further confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. To understand its photocatalytic performance, the photophysical properties of the material were investigated with UV–vis. The photocatalytic degradation of organic impurities in the water from a recycled material was carried out. According to the results, the best photodegradation efficiency was obtained with the 0.4 × 10⁻⁵ M catalyst concentration. The maximum degradation efficiency reached 93.34% for an initial MB concentration of 0.4 × 10⁻⁵ M using 7.5 mg catalyst (0.25 g·L⁻¹), with an apparent reaction rate constant (k_app) of 4.401 × 10⁻¹ h⁻¹. The presence of the WO₃₋x catalyst enhanced the degradation rate by up to 6 times compared to photolysis. These findings demonstrate the high photocatalytic performance of WO₃₋x obtained from industrial waste, presenting a promising solution for wastewater treatment.